The Storm: Redemption
Chapter Twenty-Seven
By Gayforkurt
Summary: Famous countertenor Kurt Hummel and billionaire entrepreneur Dave Karofsky have come to terms with the past but can these two headstrong men make a future for themselves? This is rated M.
A/N 1: Thank you to my stalwarts who review and to you guys who continue to add this story to your favorites list. It means a lot to see those notifications, believe me, so please keep reading and enjoying!
Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favorite boys. Only the OCs and the situations belong to me, alas.
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KHDK
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Puck stalked through the rooms of the huge house, fulfilling an urge to see for himself that everything was as it should be. He grinned as he looked at the huge Christmas tree and wondered if Kurt would be one of those people who kept their tree for an inordinately long time. He shook his head and continued on to the office, taking a seat as he waited for Dave to join him.
The two men needed to go over final arrangements to set their plan in motion. Puck had to admit to himself that he wasn't happy with the situation and knew he would be more than glad when it was sorted out and he could return to being just a regular security chief. Speaking of that, he had a bone to pick with Dave with regard to his extra Christmas 'gift'.
Dave had continued his father's tradition of paying his staff in every company he owned a generous Christmas bonus that was calculated off of the profits made from all the companies. That always added up to a very pretty sum and Puck had yet to hear anyone complain about their end of year bonus package. In fact, most people seemed to use their bonus to buy those little extras that made Christmas special and kept their regular paycheck to pay their usual bills. It worked out perfectly and allowed for an unusually satisfied workforce. Dave's generosity to his workers was as well-known as his ruthlessness was with his competitors.
Now Puck glanced over his shoulder as his boss and friend almost bounced into his office, his face wreathed in a bright grin. Puck raised a startled eyebrow and wondered fleetingly if Dave had got into the brandy so early in the day, but no, there was no odour of liquor around him.
Dave laughed out loud at the look on Puck's face and walked around the desk to plop himself into the huge leather chair. "Well, did you have a great time on your holiday?"
Puck eyed him warily before replying, "Yes, but clearly not as great as yours. What's with the ear-to-ear grin?"
Dave chuckled but only leaned forward, took up some papers on his desk and leaned back in his chair, a tiny smirk still disconcertingly evident. Puck watched him and when his eyes inevitably fell on Dave's hands, they widened comically.
"What the _? You_ you finally did it?" His mouth dropped open even as he started to grin himself.
David laughed but shook his head. "Nah, Kurt proposed to me on Christmas Day, man!"
Puck let out a loud laugh and leapt to his feet as Dave got to his. He came around the desk and drew Dave into a huge congratulatory hug, clapping him several times on the upper back in his exuberance.
"Man, whew, I'm glad that's out of the way!" Puck pretended to wipe sweat from his brow as he took his seat again.
Dave looked at him, puzzled. "Why, what do you mean?"
Puck looked at him sardonically before smirking. "I mean that now I don't have to listen to you agonizing over whether you should propose and what kind of ring you think the princess would like!"
Dave broke out laughing and as he wound down he shook his head. "Yeah, I think you're right. Sometimes, with him, I don't know whether I'm coming or going."
Puck tilted his head as he studied the other man's happy countenance. "But that's supposed to be a good thing, right? At least you'll never be bored."
Dave nodded and a few minutes passed in silence as Puck allowed him some time to contemplate his extreme good fortune. Then he cleared his throat, took a folded envelope from inside his jacket pocket, and placed it squarely in front of Dave on the desk.
Dave glanced down at it and then looked back up at Puck, puzzled at his action. "What, didn't you like your gift?"
Puck looked at him as if he were questioning his sanity. "Dave, I thought I was getting the usual bonus. I certainly wasn't expecting … that!"
Dave glanced down again at the document that said Puck was now the owner of his own security company specializing in industrial espionage. He'd thought for years after Puck had overhauled his father, Paul's, outdated security systems that Puck needed more stimulating work than just being Dave's glorified bodyguard.
Now he looked seriously at the tanned man seated before him and took in the slightly bewildered expression in the grey eyes. Dave realized he would have to explain his thinking further if he was going to get Puck to go along with the plan.
"Puck, I think you are way too talented to be my chief bodyguard." He raised a hand and an eyebrow as he waited for Puck to stop spluttering. "You've done a phenomenal job with my companies, all of them, and I can't be any more satisfied than I am. Do you know how many times I've been approached to hire out your services? Now, with your own company, you can hire out to anyone you want."
Puck's heart rate had sped up and – horror of horrors – he felt a stinging in the back of his nose that he absolutely refused to acknowledge. He stared at his hands, not realizing that he'd clenched his fists, and purposely relaxed. He took several deep, calming breaths before he felt he was ready to look back up into Dave's kind eyes.
"I-I don't think of myself as your glorified bodyguard. Hell, man, we've known each other from high school!" He sat back and brought his voice back down to a more reasonable level. "Look, okay, I get what you're trying to do but…" he paused as a calculating gleam appeared in his eyes. "I'll do it only on one condition."
He broke off as he waited for Dave to nod at him that he would agree to the condition.
"I want you to hire my company. I want to be the only security company to handle your needs – industrial or personal – clear?" He stared defiantly at Dave as he waited for the man to agree.
Dave relaxed; he had not known what to expect but, honestly, he had planned on doing just what Puck was now demanding. He grinned happily at his friend and leaned forward, his hand outstretched, to shake Puck's hand.
"Very clear, Mr. Puckerman. I look forward to our continued association." They looked at each other and burst out laughing. They were still sat there when Kurt actually bounced into the room, drawing up short as he saw the two men in his office.
"Noah! Happy Christmas! Wait, I can still say that, right?" The two older men looked at each other and laughed again, Dave moving around the desk to pull Kurt into a quick smooch.
Puck rolled his eyes and then took Kurt's hand, raising it to examine his ring. "Dave told me what you did. Congratulations, princess; you're getting a good man."
Kurt pulled out of David's arm to hug Noah tightly before stepping back. "Thank you, I finally decided to stake my claim, y'know, short of stamping 'POKH' on his forehead."
The two men looked at each other, lost, and Kurt enlightened them: "Property of Kurt Hummel."
The sound of the three men's laughter floated through the house, slowly combining with the other domestic sounds. Some who heard it wondered what it was about and others just shook their heads, glad that they worked for a couple that always seemed to find joy in each other's presence. That's always a good thing and as the sounds gradually faded, the work on the estate continued in its usual, quite mundane pattern.
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KHDK
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Kurt readied himself to head to the studio, making sure his bag contained all the essential creams, moisturisers, make-up, bottles of water and moist towelettes; everything a diva needed, in fact. The taping for his segment was scheduled for 1 o'clock and Julian and Xavier were on duty. He knew that the two men unnerved Rex and some of the other company members but, at this point, Kurt couldn't care any less. The security men were doing a bang up job of keeping him safe and that was that.
As the men turned into the gates of the studio, Kurt in the back of the huge black Bentley Arnage that used to belong to Paul Karofsky, they were almost mobbed by waiting paparazzi. They were obviously expecting, from the look of the powerful, gleaming black-tinted car, that a famous basketball star or rapper was arriving, for they were known to favour the Bentley brand. Kurt grinned as Xavier, behind the wheel, lowered his window slightly to let the pushing idiots know he'd run them over if they didn't move the f*** out of his way!
The car was one of those Puck had had his security people tweak so, along with the usual luxury bells and whistles that a quarter-million pound British car came with, this one was customized with added features that Puck refused to speak about. Suffice it to say that the car was substantially heavier than when it had been bought by the elder Karofsky all those years ago. Kurt simply loved the car for the look of its old-world glamour, even though it was built in 2009. The interior with its butter-soft leather and real-wood paneling was to die for, in his opinion, and the fact that it was heavily armoured, as well, simply added to its appeal. It was definitely the kind of car a billionaire would own.
Xavier finally managed to move beyond the yelling crowd of paparazzi, their cameras flashing as he gave them the finger and they headed around to Studio Two's parking lot where extra security were awaiting them. Kurt moved out with his two team members and left the others with the car. Puck was leaving absolutely nothing to chance.
Kurt's personal assistant was waiting in the changing room to which he'd been shown and Julian and Xavier waited outside while he went in to get ready for his taping. He still couldn't believe that David and Puck had gone to all this trouble to get Rex and the palace's people to agree to pre-taping portions of what had always been a live performance. He also suspected that Dave had had to jump through a lot of hoops for that accommodation.
All in all, the taping went off without a hitch, except for one heart-thumping moment when the key grip had dropped a lighting fixture and the ensuing noise had startled Kurt's security into accosting the man. The poor grip had nearly wet himself when confronted with the two snarling, gun-wielding men and only relaxed when the director and Rex had separated Julian's fist from the front of the man's bunched up tee-shirt.
Kurt had paled at first as the sound of the falling equipment had sounded almost like a gunshot but he refrained from rushing over with the rest of the gawkers when he saw that his guys were 'handling' things. He watched as Rex rolled his eyes and drew the two away to speak urgently at them, all with a lot of hand-waving on his part and scowls on the parts of the security men.
Eventually, the rest of the afternoon had gone off as it should and Kurt was able to wash his hands of the entire affair and head home. He didn't even take the time to remove his makeup; he just changed, handed over his costume to the assistant, told her he would call her sometime, and headed out with the men flanking him. He saw Rex in the distance and simply waved while still moving towards the Bentley.
He just wanted to go home, soak for an hour or so and wait for his fiancé to come home and fuck him into the mattress. Kurt gazed out at the rapidly passing scenery and prayed for a time when sudden noises or yelling crowds would be a thing of the past. He even flirted briefly with the idea of retiring but, before he made any decisions about that, he knew he'd have to talk to David and Will, his agent.
He needed to slow down and that fact was never brought home as clearly as when Carole rolled out the reams of photos of Finn, Rachel and the boys. Her gushing hadn't reached the annoying stage but the pictures of domesticity paraded before him made a gnawing little spot inside him grow more and more. He realized that he'd lost touch with his family – no, not completely – and he felt now that maybe he could take a vacation after New Year's and he and David could travel a bit, sort of do some recharging, both physically and emotionally.
The car turned into his driveway, a fact that startled him because his eyes had turned inward and he hadn't realized they had entered the suburbs already. He smiled and felt his shoulders release their tension as he gazed up at the beautiful home coming into view. He didn't think he'd get used to that feeling of 'mine!' every time he looked at this place. He breathed deeper now as he settled back and watched Xavier manoeuvre the vehicle up the long driveway and then come to a stop under the portico.
He was home and he couldn't wait for David to join him. He got out when Julian opened his door for him, sending a smile of gratitude at the shy Brit. He was happy that the man seemed more relaxed around him these days; it made him feel that maybe his crush on him was fading a bit and that was all to the good.
Julian nodded in acknowledgement and moved to get the front door; he didn't have to but he wanted to. It was only common courtesy, he told himself, as Kurt's beautiful blue green eyes flashed at him once more. Xavier made a small sound and when Julian shrugged his shoulders at him – 'what?' The darker man only rolled his eyes and got back into the Bentley to drive it around to the garages.
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KHDK
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A plan that had formed in Emma's mind finally solidified as she looked at her invitation to tomorrow's gala performance. She had been shopping earlier that day with Elliot and though she had enjoyed the man's company as usual, her mind had been on other things. These were things she didn't feel she could talk to him about, knowing that he thought her obsessed with all things Karofsky. No, she kept her ideas to herself and her plottings and now she knew there was one thing she needed to retrieve from her family home.
She was really grateful that Elliot had spent part of his holidays with her and she really wanted him to think the best of her. Her decisions were her own, however, and she would not allow him to sidetrack her. David must come to his senses and she knew how to do that. No sensible man would want that trollopy little singer when he could have someone of her background and breeding. She simply had to make him see what his responsibilities were.
Emma closed up her flat and headed to the little car that her daddy had given her some years ago to run around town. It was quite a nice little car but nothing like what she would have when she married sweet, trusting Davey. He already owned a number of very nice cars so what would one more hurt? She grinned happily to herself as she drove through London to her father's house, thinking briefly that she was happy the creditors hadn't got their grubby little paws on it as yet.
She didn't want to waste too much time chatting to the old man; she just needed to retrieve the thing and she'd be all set for Her Royal Highness' Command Performance. Yes, she had everything sorted, and tomorrow would be the start of a new life for her. For her and Elliot, she paused, and then she continued dreamily plotting as she nodded and smiled at her father's ramblings. Just a few more hours and everything would be so very different. She couldn't wait.
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KHDK
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Kurt moaned long and low, the sound vibrating through his back and up into Dave's hands. He just loved all the different sounds Kurt made; from his musical humming when he was happy and light-hearted, to the moans and panting gasps when Dave was filling his body with his own, to the soft almost inaudible purrs when he was completely sated and relaxed. Kurt was Dave's entertainment and he was never – could never – be bored with him.
Now he watched his large hands against the slender, toned body of his fiancé and reveled in the thought that he got to touch this perfect skin every day. A thought flashed across his mind, a vision, really, of Kurt lying on a huge beach towel, sunning himself on a secluded white sand beach while the azure tropical waters sparkled and lapped against the hull of their yacht. Yes, he thought, we need a vacation; he promised to broach the idea soon to Kurt.
Kurt had no idea how wealthy Dave really was and the larger man grinned as his hands smoothed and stroked down the long back to the perfect, pert little globes of Kurt's spectacular ass. He was going to have fun revealing to his sweet little diva just how the very wealthy played, starting with a trip to America on his very own Gulfstream G1050X.
Dave loved his toys – which man didn't – but this jet was one of his favorites as it had the capability of actually flying you to the other side of the world non-stop. It was at the pinnacle of aeronautical engineering and featured luxury items like a high-tech surround-sound system, exotic wood cabinetry and trim, gold-plated bathroom fittings, hand-woven carpeting and original artwork. This always impressed Dave's colleagues who were accustomed to luxury at that level and all the features of his jet combined to create a truly exclusive flight experience.
He tapped Kurt lightly on the ass to indicate he should turn over and when Kurt protested sleepily, he slid one long finger down the crack of his ass to pet at the furled little pucker. Kurt gasped, his hips coming up so it pushed his ass back more onto Dave's finger. Dave chuckled, reminded again of Kurt's catlike traits, and murmured seductively, "There's something much bigger waiting for you, my love."
Kurt moaned and quickly flipped over onto his back, his thighs widening automatically. Dave loved the look of arousal on Kurt's face – the flushed cheeks, glowing eyes, parted pink lips; the singer could pose for a skin mag anytime. Dave felt his cock twitch as he gazed at his lover and he grasped it, sliding his fist slowly up to the head and back down to grip the base. He watched as Kurt licked his lips, his avid gaze devouring the movement of Dave's hand.
Kurt, deciding two can play that teasing game, let his head loll back, his neck lengthening as a tiny gasp left him, his hips rolling just enough to make his own cock bob against his stomach. He smiled as he heard David's audible breathing speed up and then looked back at the older man. He stroked one slender finger up one of his thighs and watched as his lover's Adam's apple bobbed. It was such fun to tease the man because he didn't try to hide his natural reactions and Kurt loved that about him.
Now David leaned over him, letting their cocks slide lovingly against each other and Kurt sighed, loving the smooth, hot, sensual glide of slick skin against slick skin. They didn't usually indulge in frottage as the entirety of their lovemaking, only as foreplay, but the mood between them was so slow, the heat building gradually, that the rubbing was just perfect right now.
Kurt clasped both hands behind David's neck and lifted his hips to grind harder against the larger body, his breath coming in soft, deep gasps. Maybe it was the earlier massage, but he didn't feel the need to speed things up and clearly David, from the sounds he was making, was finding their skin-to-skin rubbing just as sexy.
They kissed for long stretches, their tongues stroking and tangling languidly and it could have been minutes or it could have been hours, they couldn't tell. When Dave's arms grew tired from holding himself up so long above Kurt, he settled slightly to the side, half on top of the singer and Kurt rolled with him to keep their cocks clashing and dueling in sweet, sensual battle.
Dave grasped Kurt's hip, pulling him in even more tightly, and gasped at the feel of the hot wet silky slide of his lover's turgid shaft against his belly. His own cock seemed to have set up camp in a loving relationship with Kurt's bollocks, the feel of Dave's slick cock gliding against them causing the singer to shudder and gasp Dave's name repeatedly.
When Dave felt the telltale burn and curl in the pit of his stomach he grabbed Kurt's ass, slid one long finger down to his hole again and rubbed it firmly. Kurt cried out and jerked forward, his cock sliding against the fine, soft hairs of Dave's treasure trail and he came, his semen providing a hot pool for Dave's cock to slide through.
Dave's body convulsed seconds later as Kurt clutched at him and called his name in that sexy soft whisper that Dave loved. His body clenched as he rutted against Kurt's groin and he buried his face in the soft fragrant skin of his lover's shoulder.
"Ahh, ah god, Kurt, you turn me on so much!"
Kurt huffed a little chuckle, his head falling back on the pillow and dislodging David's head from his shoulder. He patted his lover tiredly and smiled up at him, "Ditto!"
Dave grinned, proud that they were on the same page and this incredible, awesome, beautiful man found him irresistible, too. He placed soft, whispery kisses along Kurt's long neck, moving slowly up to his jaw and then his cheek. He leaned up further to kiss both eyelids and he felt Kurt sigh and relax further into the pillows.
The slow orgasms following the drawn-out frottage was sort of new for them and the men sank into a feeling of deep satisfaction that, even though they really needed to get up and clean themselves, they didn't want to disrupt. One after the other they fell asleep, Kurt on his back with Dave's head lying against his shoulder again.
Tomorrow would be the gala and Kurt had no idea if they would be attending, though David was a specially invited guest. They had not been anywhere as an official couple as yet and he thought, as his mind drifted into sleep, that he really would like to see the Princess. He rather preferred her to William who for some strange reason reminded him somewhat of his late father. Hmmmm, he thought, royalty – strange people.
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KHDK
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Dave was nervous; pacing the office and looking at Puck every now and then as he waited for Kurt to come down and join him before they left for the gala. He grinned briefly as he remembered the last time he'd been to a gala and how it had sped up this thing between him and Kurt. That was the time when he knew deep down that Kurt had not been indifferent to him, even though the diva had tried his damnedest to hold on to his anger against Dave's earlier actions.
Now though he could only hope that his and Puck's plan would work. He knew Emma had received an invitation to the gala just as he had. He watched the other man look at his watch for the umpteenth time and knew Puck harbored the same fears he did. They were dealing with an absolute unknown with regard to Emma. They were certain she would use this opportunity to try something but this time they were hoping to catch her red-handed. They had to get proof that she was a public menace and, therefore, should be put away.
The door opened and Kurt entered, his face alight with happiness at the thought of stepping out with the handsome David Karofsky on his arm, and at a royal engagement no less. He was positively glowing in his silk fuchsia mandarin-collared shirt, the tie pin a sparkling emerald-cut diamond that competed with Kurt's eyes for brightness.
Dave couldn't help but smile back at his beautiful lover. Anything Kurt wore managed to look as if it had just been in some designer's latest collection and his eyes roved over the tall, slim body. He loved the way Kurt's pants always fit so beautifully, almost leaving nothing to the imagination. He knew this time, though, that the matching jacket would be covering the beautiful ass and Dave was quite happy with that. He liked knowing that he was the only one privileged now to enjoy that luscious body.
Puck cleared his throat to break the two men out of their eye-fucking and moved towards the door, opening it and keeping it open, indicating that they needed to get going. They were going to be using two cars as the whole team was accompanying them and Puck spared a thought to his plans, crossing his fingers and praying no one would be hurt.
Dave escorted Kurt out to the waiting limousine, smiling as he helped Kurt into the jacket with its black fur-trimmed collar. He leaned in at one point to sniff his lover, the scent of the expensive cologne almost enough to get his libido going. Kurt giggled and swatted him as he rolled his eyes at an impatient Puck. David was always so horny these days, it made Kurt blush sometimes to think of the things they got up to. Now, though, was not the time or place to get a hard on – they were going to the palace!
The men got settled, Puck unbuttoning his own jacket as he got in, and Kurt got a quick glimpse of his Sig Sauer nestled in its custom holster. He shuddered, averting his eyes and he took David's hand, smiling at the larger man reassuringly.
"I don't know what's going to happen today but I think everything will be fine," he stared into David's hazel eyes, loving the way he always looked at him and leaned over to drop a soft little kiss on the firm mouth. Dave kissed back softly, conscious of Puck smirking at them, and then pulled back to gaze at Kurt.
"I'm going to – well, we – are going to see that everything will be alright, sweetheart," he said, seeing Puck nodding out of the corner of his eye.
They didn't talk again until they were at the checkpoint at the palace gates. Their driver was Ian who handed over his and Puck's credentials and Kurt and Dave's invitation. Kurt was Dave's plus one and he was privately tickled at that designation. He glanced down at his engagement ring, his lips in a soft little smile, and glanced over to see David watching him with an indulgent look on his face. They held hands all the way to the VIP parking area.
When they got out, Kurt, Dave and Puck were led away by a royal attendant and Kurt giggled softly as he felt so important. Puck glanced over his shoulder and paused to watch Xavier drive up and Devon and Julian being escorted to another area of the building, his heart jumping at the sight of the handsome young agent in his fabulous new outfit.
He hurried after Kurt and Dave and tried to calm his breathing. He had to believe that everything would be okay.
Devon and Julian headed towards the backstage area where the performers for the live segment of the show were milling around. Confused chaos as usual reigned there and the two men, Devon in an extremely stylish outfit with a matching fedora, strutted like a diva behind Julian as they looked for Rex. The plan was for them to find the man and stay with him. Julian was to keep an eye out for a certain harpy and he was determined that this mission would be completed today; with or without bloodshed, he didn't much care.
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Emma strode towards the stage, nodding and smiling at the few familiar faces she recognized. Elliot, as her plus one, was close behind her. She was annoyed that he seemed to want to stick extra close to her. One would think he was in love with her, he was so attentive, she scoffed silently.
She held her beaded vintage purse close to her, the contents being the most important thing to her right now. Finding her row and eventually their seats, she shuffled along it as Elliot followed her and she settled down for the show to start. She looked around at all the well-dressed and no doubt well-heeled patrons who had been invited and she was pleased to know that her seat was in a special section, one of two apparently for the specially invited guests.
The large, beautiful staging area had been built just three years ago when the Princess had decided she needed to bring more live performances to the struggling British people. It was a fact, according to one study, that when things were hard economically, people wanted to be entertained and she felt that, as a member of the monarchy, she ought to do her part – hence the construction of this beautiful structure on the palace grounds.
Emma couldn't care less about the starving masses or even the show that would be put on tonight by the cream of the British Isles' performers. She sat through what seemed like endless musical and comedic tours de force, given the audience's uproarious reactions and she could hardly wait for a reasonable point in the proceedings to make her escape.
Finally it was almost time for intermission and she leaned over to Elliot to whisper she needed the loo. He nodded, though his heart cringed with suspicion; she seemed harmless but he had a sixth sense about her. He eased his legs to the side so she could shuffle past him out of the row and when she headed up the aisle he waited a bit and then followed.
He wasn't the only one to decide to follow her and Julian spoke quietly into his earpiece to Devon, giving him a heads up. He then alerted Puck who whispered something to Dave before leaping to his feet. They were seated in the other VIP section, a few rows behind where Emma had been looking. He made his way backstage, knowing in his gut that things were going to go down now.
He headed down the corridor leading towards the backstage area, which coincidentally was in the same direction as the loo and, as he turned a corner, he could see Julian racing ahead of him. Puck prayed they would reach in time and he muttered Devon's name over and over under his breath as he ran.
A couple of security men from the palace saw the two coming and when both Puck and Julian flashed their security badges they moved aside, though they could see something serious was happening. Puck asked one of them if they'd seen a woman in a dark blue gown heading towards the loos. One of them nodded but said: "Yes, but she seemed to have changed her mind because she headed backstage instead."
Puck cursed under his breath and as he moved off he called to them, "Come with us, we might need you guys!" He and Julian sped along the corridor towards where Rex and several of the members of his company were waiting for their turn to perform. Just as they burst into the changing area, they spotted Emma moving towards Devon. The agent was standing with his back to her, not knowing from which direction she was entering the area though he had been alerted by Julian earlier.
As the young agent in his very Kurt-like outfit started to turn he felt someone come up behind him and yank his arm. His fedora was shadowing his face and as he turned he looked into the furious eyes of a tall blond woman he recognized only from photos.
"Who the fuck are you and where is that bitch?" She screamed into Devon's face, spittle landing on him as he jerked himself back. Rex, who had been part of the bait as he was well-known as the company's director and Kurt's boss, moved to push her back but she spun around and held out her fist, a strange, thick silver ring gleaming on her finger.
"Where is he, where's the bitch who stole my Davey," she shouted again, jabbing at Devon threateningly with the ring. Just then, Puck, Julian and the two security guards pounded up and Puck grabbed both her wrists.
"No, please, don't hurt her," Elliot yelled across the area as he ran up. He had not realized at first down which corridor Emma had dashed so he was late. He came running up now to the men surrounding the struggling pair and he looked pleadingly at a furious Puck who still held the belligerent woman's wrists in a punishing grip.
Elliot looked at Emma, deliberately softening his features and his tone. "Emma, darling, please, give it up! You have to…"
"No," she cried out, still struggling and her hair falling out of its elaborate updo. She shook her hair out of her eyes as she glared at Elliot. "Can't you see he's spoiled everything? I have to do something… I have to, Elliot!" By this time the tears were streaking her makeup and as the black mascara trails slid down her cheeks she looked nothing so much as a mad woman.
All of a sudden Dave's voice rang out behind the group. "Emma, why are you doing this?" The group turned almost as one, though Puck didn't slacken his grip and Dave got his first look at the woman who had almost been his fiancée. He gasped at her appearance, the mad gleam in her eyes more startling than her messy hair and face.
As she was about to answer David she caught sight of Kurt coming up behind him. Her entire countenance changed as she let out a roar and lunged toward him, wrenching herself from Puck's grip and almost reaching the singer. Julian, however, was in the right position to move between her and her target and she slammed into him, both of them falling heavily to the ground.
Her screams made Kurt shudder and he was certain the other men were just as taken aback, Rex especially as he stood with a hand covering his gaping mouth. Puck and Devon rushed over to grab Emma as Dave did, too, and the two security men hauled her off of Julian's still body.
Dave sank to the floor beside Julian, trying to figure out what had happened to him, thinking maybe he'd hit his head but he couldn't tell. There was chaos as people shouted for someone to call 999 and the police. Kurt crouched down beside Julian as well and rested his hand on the man's shoulder, trying to shake him awake.
He felt so terrible, especially as it was Julian who'd saved him from the mad woman, the man who had unrequited feelings for him. The tears welled up and spilled as he watched them tend to the pale-skinned man, his blond hair lying against the dirty floor. Dave came around and helped him up, murmuring to him that Julian would be alright and they would take good care of Julian.
Kurt turned into David's shoulder, still shuddering and crying as he thought of the agent's actions and that he'd deliberately put himself in harm's way for him. He sniffed as he turned to look at the security men who'd now handcuffed the still-snarling woman. Something obscure memory flashed in his mind and he moved over towards Emma, David trying to hold him back.
Kurt held up a hand to stop David. "No, no, wait, please. When I came along Puck was holding her wrists; why?"
Puck glanced at him, puzzled for a moment and then his eyes cleared. "Yeah, because she was trying to scratch Devon's face with some crazy old ring!" When he said Devon's name there was a growl in his voice as he glared furiously at the bitch.
Kurt turned to one of the security men, indicating with an imperious finger that he should turn her around so he could see. As the man was about to grab the ring to pull it off he cried out to stop him.
"No, if it's what I think it is, you don't want to touch it!"
Everyone froze though the woman kept struggling against the two men. Kurt turned back to Puck and David, his eyes grim and dark. "Remember the gift basket, it was poisoned, right? Well, maybe that ring has a little spike inside of it that's probably poisoned too."
There was a gasp from the watching performers. Emma snarled and tried to spit at Kurt who didn't even bother to look at her. He glanced at the EMTs from the ambulance and nodded at the one who seemed to be in charge. "Check to see if there are any scratches on him. It could have happened when they fell together."
Emma lunged against the arms restraining her. "It should have been you," she spat furiously. "You should die, you flaming faggot! I hate you, I hate you, you bitch! Davey, please, forget him, he's nothing, Davey!"
Dave recoiled at the vile words, his arm going instinctively around Kurt's waist as if to protect him from their impact. "Emma, what has happened to you?"
Elliot answered instead, his voice hoarse. "I-I think, when you threw her over, she must have snapped. Oh, Emma." There were tears in his eyes but he would not shed them, not here. He had hoped, over the Christmas holidays when she'd seemed to come back to herself, that things would get better. She had only been pretending, he realized now, and his heart squeezed at the thought of what would happen to her.
The police arrived and took her into custody, Elliot called her father and brothers, and Kurt, Dave, Puck and Devon headed out behind the ambulance, joining up with Xavier and Ian to let them know what had happened inside. They all drove behind the ambulance to the nearest hospital, an oppressive silence pervading the vehicles.
Dave and Kurt held each other just as Puck and Devon did. No one wanted to talk and no one wanted to speculate. Julian's fate was out of their hands just as Emma's was.
Dave kissed Kurt's soft fragrant hair, determined more than ever to take his lover away when all this was over for some much-needed vacation time. He prayed quietly that Julian would recover and return to them because he didn't want to think of any other outcome.
Kurt snuggled against David's large, warm body, his mind on the ambulance's unconscious occupant. He didn't believe in God, usually, but right now he prayed that the shy blond Brit would recover and come back to work, even if Kurt would no longer need a team of bodyguards. Emma was sure to be locked away now and he would use every ounce of influence he had with Dave and anyone else to see that the bitch would never be allowed to harm anyone again.
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TBC
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A/N 2 (Special note): I had a hard time writing the things Emma said and I hope no one was offended. I remember reading something CC said in an interview about people tweeting some of the foulest things to him since his popularity soared on Glee. When he was tempted to reply he just reminded himself of where he was now and where those people were still. That's a sentiment I can get behind - and screw the haters, right?